Business

Program Overview

Business encompasses many disciplines. Opportunities are plentiful, but you need to
understand the concepts, principles and terminology of accounting, economics, marketing
and more. Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s Business certificate program gives you this solid
foundation.

It takes personal initiative to succeed in the business world; self-starters are always
in demand. You’ll also need good organizational and people skills, the ability to
think on your feet and a willingness to take on leadership challenges.

The one-year Business certificate program prepares you for a wide variety of entry-level
positions. It is offered full time at Saskatchewan Polytechnic Moose Jaw, Prince Albert
and Saskatoon campuses.

You can also take the courses through Continuing Education. If you take courses through Continuing Education, you are not required to apply
for admission or meet the requirements. Once you have successfully completed all the
courses in the program, simply apply to graduate.

The program provides a well-rounded business foundation. You'll learn core business
concepts, including accounting, finance, management, computers, marketing, human resources,
insurance and more.

Job-Ready at Graduation

Your Saskatchewan Polytechnic classroom mirrors a business environment. Business attire
is expected. You'll work individually and in teams. You'll turn classroom friendships
into a professional network. You'll learn by doing. This means, for example, that
you'll learn about Microsoft Office by using it in class, about business communications
by writing reports and about marketing by developing a marketing plan.

1 Year to a Diploma

The generalist Business certificate program gives you the skills you need to jump
into the workforce. You also have the option of taking one more year to earn a specialized
Business diploma in accountancy, financial services, human resources, insurance, management or marketing.

You can apply to transfer some of your Business courses to degree programs at Briercrest
College and Seminary, the University of Regina, University of Lethbridge and University
Canada West.

Career and Salary Information

Your Career

A Saskatchewan Polytechnic Business certificate opens many doors. Explore entry-level
opportunities in banking, retail, real estate, human resources, insurance, marketing
and more. Work for a small business, large corporation, government department or non-profit
organization. Start your own business or take the family business to the next level.
Entry-level positions include management trainees, administrative assistants, financial
officers and sales representatives.

Admission Method

First Qualified/First Admitted

The First Qualified/First Admitted (FQFA) process is used for the majority of Saskatchewan Polytechnic programs. When we determine that you meet the program's admission requirements, you will be offered admission based on the date you fully qualify for the program. The earlier you provide the appropriate documents and information that qualify you for admission to the next intake, the earlier you might begin your studies. Your application, once qualified, is always considered for the next intake.

Applicants to programs with multiple intakes in an academic year remain in the application pool until the last intake for that academic year has begun. Programs using the FQFA process receive applications year round and maintain an application pool for each academic year. Qualified applicants who are not offered a seat must reapply for the next academic year.

Sponsored programs or programs targeted to specific groups do not accept applications year round or maintain an application pool.

Tuition and Fees

Estimates are based on current rates and are subject to change. Amounts for a program may vary by campus. Totals shown here include all mandatory fees as well as books and supplies. For a complete breakdown of tuition and fees for this program, click here to access the Saskatchewan Polytechnic campus Tuition and Fee Schedules.

International Students

Courses

Semester 1

Code

Name/Description

Credits

ACCT 122

Introductory Financial Accounting 1

6

Your studies will focus on an introduction to financial accounting designed to provide you with accounting skills to handle business transactions. The course will include bookkeeping techniques, accounting for a merchandising concern and control over cash and receivables. Accounting for payroll is also introduced in this course. ACCT 122 is a companion to ACCT 125 (Introductory Financial Accounting 2) which continues the study of basic financial accounting.Credit Units: 6Course Hours: 96.0Equivalent Course(s): Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Theory, Online, Prior Learning

ADMN 220

Organizational Behaviour

4

You will study human behaviour in organizations and develop the skills needed to deal with people at work. Your studies include content on individual behaviour, values, interpersonal relationships and communications, groups and team dynamics, organizational culture, leadership, and change. You will study these aspects of human behavior within the context of diverse formal organizations.Credit Units: 4Course Hours: 64.0Equivalent Course(s): BUS 182Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Theory, Online, Prior Learning

BCOM 105

Business Communications

5

You will develop fundamental employability skills through study of the principles of communication and active listening techniques. The course content includes development of effective writing skills and formatting. You will apply the principles and skills by writing business messages for positive, negative and persuasive purposes. You will examine ways to apply communication skills to cross-cultural situations. You will learn to apply effective presentation skills when delivering oral presentations and conducting business meetings. You will write short reports.Credit Units: 5Course Hours: 80.0Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Theory, Online, Prior Learning

COMP 120

Information Systems

4

Your studies will focus on the practical use of Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint from the Microsoft Office Professional software suite. You will learn a wide range of skills from intermediate to advanced in each of the applications.Credit Units: 4Course Hours: 64.0Equivalent Course(s): Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Theory, Online, Prior Learning

ECON 100

Economics

5

You will study the foundations of macroeconomics. Your studies will include an introduction to the economic principles of scarcity, opportunity costs, demand and supply, and comparative market structures. You will then focus on learning about the major macroeconomic elements impacting our economy. This includes Gross Domestic Product, unemployment and inflation, government spending and taxation, the Canadian banking system, foreign trade and other key macroeconomic variables.Credit Units: 5Course Hours: 80.0Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Theory, Online, Prior Learning

Semester 2

Code

Name/Description

Credits

ACCT 125

Introductory Financial Accounting 2

5

Your studies will focus on an introduction to financial accounting building on the skills you learned in ACCT 122 (Introductory Financial Accounting I). Your studies include these topics: accounting for property, plant and equipment assets, current and long-term liabilities, partnerships, and corporations. In addition, you will learn to prepare a cash flow statement and perform ratio analysis.Credit Units: 5Course Hours: 80.0Prerequisites(s): ACCT 122Equivalent Course(s): Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Theory, Online, Prior Learning

You will explore many concepts related to planning and managing personal finances. You will develop the knowledge and decision-making tools to help you make sound financial decisions and/or provide advice to others. Your studies will introduce concepts in banking, deposit accounts, investing, tax and retirement planning. You will explore the uses and misuses of personal credit and review the importance of insurance and estate planning. You will be able to apply the skills and knowledge that you develop in a wide variety of real world situations.Credit Units: 4Course Hours: 64.0Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Theory

HR 120

Introduction to Human Resource Management

4

Your studies will focus on an overview of human resource management and practices. You will learn the impact of job analysis; planning, recruiting, and selection processes; training, developing and compensation considerations, and management performance and labour relations. You will discuss employee and organizational ethics throughout the course, and your studies will emphasize the use of human resource management to achieve high organizational performance.Credit Units: 4Course Hours: 64.0Equivalent Course(s): ADMN 222Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Theory, Online, Prior Learning

INS 100

Principles and Practices of Insurance

4

Your studies will provide an introduction to the principles and practices of the insurance industry. You will examine the multi-faceted nature of the insurance business, develop an understanding of risk and strategies to respond to it, and examine contract law as it relates to the industry. You will be introduced to the terms and practices of the insurance business.Credit Units: 4Course Hours: 64.0Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Theory

LAW 220

Commercial Law

4

Your studies will focus on the field of commercial law. You will examine in detail the concepts of contract law and how these concepts are influenced by various legislative acts and common law. Other legal concepts in your studies will focus on: torts, agency, various forms of business organizations, the sale of goods, employment, bailments, insurance, real and intellectual property, and secured transactions.Credit Units: 4Course Hours: 64.0Equivalent Course(s): ACP 170, LAW 240Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Theory, Online, Prior Learning

MATH 139

Business Mathematics

4

You will deal with business problems involving ratios, proportions and percent. You will study the mathematics of merchandizing by examining discounts and markups. You will deal with the concept of the time value of money and how it is applied to both simple and compound interest. You will study ordinary annuities and specifically how they relate to mortgages.Credit Units: 4Course Hours: 64.0Equivalent Course(s): FIN 120Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Theory, Online, Prior Learning

MKTG 120

Marketing

5

You will discover the dynamic field of marketing. You will explore what marketing is, how it works, and the effect it can have on consumers and on society. At the end of the course, you should have a strong sense of how to market ideas, skills, as well as products and services. Marketing concepts you will learn include: the strategic marketing planning process, market research, segmentation, positioning, consumer behaviour, and the marketing mix.Credit Units: 5Course Hours: 80.0Equivalent Course(s): Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Theory, Online, Prior Learning

Note:

Business certificate students must take one of the following two accounting electives:
ACCT 125 or ACCT 225

Students who wish to pursue the Business Accountancy specialty diploma must take ACCT
125 in order to meet pre-requisites for most second year Accountancy courses

Business certificate students must take one of the following three business electives:
ACCT 136, FIN 100 or INS 100

Students who wish to pursue the Business Accountancy specialty diploma must take ACCT
136 in order to graduate

PLAR & Transfer Credit

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition

Saskatchewan Polytechnic recognizes that adults learn in many different ways and through many different means. This includes acquiring knowledge and skills through life and work experience or non-formal training.
A detailed Candidate Guide, which includes a self-audit for all PLAR-ready courses, has been developed for this program. This information guides a candidate through all steps in the PLAR process.

Transfer Credit

Many Saskatchewan Polytechnic students benefit from transferring credit. You may be eligible to transfer credit from or to another college or university. To learn more, visit our transfer credit web page.

Transfer credit options vary over time; this information is subject to change. Transfer credit options for this program include:

transfer of ten courses (one year) toward the Bachelor of Business Administration,
University of Regina

selected course transfers, Briercrest College and Seminary

selected course transfers to additional institutions, including the University of
Saskatchewan

Student Awards

Thanks to the generosity of donors and alumni, Saskatchewan Polytechnic gives away more than $2 million in student awards during the academic year.

Saskatchewan Polytechnic offers student awards for every certificate and diploma program at every campus. You don't have to be a brainiac to receive a student award. Not all student awards are based on marks - some are based on financial need or things like community or volunteer involvement.

Saskatchewan Polytechnic serves 27,000 distinct students through applied learning opportunities at campuses in Moose Jaw, Prince Albert, Regina and Saskatoon, and through extensive distance education opportunities. Programs serve every economic and public service sector. As a polytechnic, the organization provides the depth of learning appropriate to employer and student need, including certificate, diploma and degree programs, and apprenticeship training. Saskatchewan Polytechnic engages in applied research, drawing on faculty expertise to support innovation by employers, and providing students the opportunity to develop critical thinking skills.